cycling Cycling, also known as bicycling or biking, is the activity of riding a bicycle or other types of pedal-driven human-powered vehicles such as balance bikes, unicycles, tricycles, and quadricycles. Cycling is practised around the world fo ...

, cadence is a measure of rotational speed of the crank, expressed in units of

revolutions per minute Revolutions per minute (abbreviated rpm, RPM, rev/min, r/min, or r⋅min−1) is a unit of rotational speed (or rotational frequency) for rotating machines. One revolution per minute is equivalent to hertz. Standards ISO 80000-3:2019 de ...

(r/min or rpm). In other words, it is the pedalling rate at which a cyclist is turning the pedals. Cadence is directly proportional to

wheel A wheel is a rotating component (typically circular in shape) that is intended to turn on an axle Bearing (mechanical), bearing. The wheel is one of the key components of the wheel and axle which is one of the Simple machine, six simple machin ...

speed In kinematics, the speed (commonly referred to as ''v'') of an object is the magnitude of the change of its position over time or the magnitude of the change of its position per unit of time; it is thus a non-negative scalar quantity. Intro ...

, but is a distinct measurement and changes with gearing. In other words, the gearing changes the ratio of the crank's rotational speed (cadence) to that of the drive wheel's rotational speed.

Typical cadence

Cyclists typically have a cadence at which they feel most comfortable, and on

bicycle A bicycle, also called a pedal cycle, bike, push-bike or cycle, is a human-powered transport, human-powered or motorized bicycle, motor-assisted, bicycle pedal, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, with two bicycle wheel, wheels attached to a ...

s with many gears it is possible to maintain a preferred cadence at a wide range of speeds. * 60–80 r/min is a typical cadence for many recreational and utility cyclists * According to cadence measurement of seven professional cyclists during three-week races they cycle about 90 r/min during flat and long (≈190 km) group stages and individual time trials of ≈50 km. During ≈15 km uphill cycling on high mountain passes they cycle about 70 r/min. Cyclists choose cadence to minimise muscular fatigue, and not metabolic demand, since oxygen consumption is lower at cadences 60-70 r/min. While fast cadence is also referred to as "spinning", slow cadence is referred to as "mashing" or "grinding". Any particular cyclist has only a narrow range of preferred cadences, often smaller than the general ranges listed above. This in turn influences the number and range of gears which are appropriate for any particular cycling conditions.

Sensors

Cadence can be measured via various types of sensors, for example a simple

reed switch The reed switch is an Electromechanics, electromechanical switch operated by an applied magnetic field. It was invented in 1922 by professor Valentin Kovalenkov at the Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University#Soviet era, Petrogra ...

and a magnet which detects one revolution each time the crank arm passes a point on the frame, or more advanced sensors based on a force sensor (e.g. pedals), torque sensor (e.g. crank arms) or other types of cycling power sensors.

Presentation

The cadence can be presented on a smartphone via Bluetooth, on an LCD display via cable, or on a GPS or cyclocomputer via ANT+, typically mounted on the bicycle's handlebars.

References

External links

* * * Cycling Road bicycle racing terminology Velocity {{cycling-stub

Typical cadence

Sensors

Presentation

See also

References

External links